Exclusives
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Russia’s T-72AM is a very old tank with a fresh coat of paint. Expect it to stay parked like other tanks.. Aging T-72As were some of the last tanks Russian industry pulled out of storage for service in Ukraine. They're beginning to arrive. |
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Can “good morals” become a legal weapon in Ukraine’s new Civil Code?. Brussels says reform is “necessary.” It also says quick answers to complex questions are always a problem. |
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Bulgaria approves new cabinet led by Rumen Radev — the ex-president who called Crimea Russian. Bulgaria's parliament greenlit a cabinet headed by Rumen Radev — former president who called occupied Crimea Russian — by 124 votes to 70.( |
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101 air defenses ring Russia’s 9 May parade. A Ukrainian drone already got through.. A Fire Point FP-1 hit a Moscow apartment block 6 km from the Kremlin on Monday. RFE's Mark Krutov called it "quite routine." |
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Ukraine’s EU membership: when, not if—but 2027 is unrealistic, says veteran MEP. A Lithuanian MEP who negotiated his own country's EU accession explains why 2027 is unlikely, why the procedural machinery isn't moving yet, and why Ukraine's membership is still a question of when, not if. |
Military
Russia's "ceasefire" not observed as Ukraine reports 140+ attacks and mass drone strikes Kyiv says battlefield activity shows no pause in hostilities, with Russian forces continuing assaults, drone operations, and reconnaissance flights overnight.
Drones strike Russian military HQ in Chechnya — second blast lands 120 meters from the FSB Drones struck Grozny at dawn — hitting the 42nd Motor Rifle Division HQ in Khankala and an area 120 meters from the Chechen FSB headquarters, Astra reports.
Russia reportedly rushes four regiments and 162 batteries to defend Moscow from Ukrainian drones Russia is rushing four regiments and 162 batteries to defend Moscow and Krasnodar from Ukrainian drones, Syrskyi says, citing military intelligence.
Russia closes 13 airports as Ukrainian drones strike air traffic control center in Rostov-on-Don At least 14,000 passengers are stranded. Rostov has declared a local state of emergency.
Ukraine hits one of Russia's largest oil refineries — days after Moscow refused Zelenskyy's ceasefire and struck kindergarten The plant processes around 15 mn tons of oil annually. Commissioned in 1961, it is one of Russia's largest petroleum producers.
264 drones, three Russian cities, one burning oil refinery — Russia's pre-Victory Day night Ukrainian drones struck Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Rostov-on-Don overnight on 7-8 May, igniting a fire at the Yaroslavnefteorgsintez oil refinery. Russia claims 264 drones shot down.
Intelligence and technology
Ukraine's new AI-powered laser "Tryzub" can burn holes in Shaheds from 5 km away The Ukrainian-developed laser system is in final testing.
Russia is now dropping FPV drones with explosives from bigger "Gerbera" carriers An FPV drone carrying an explosive payload was found on the roof of a high-rise apartment building more than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
International
Two drones crashed in Latvia. Ukraine offers to send experts to defend airspace from war spillover. Two unidentified drones entered Latvian airspace on 7 May and crashed on Latvian territory, including near a fuel storage site.
Fico, the only EU leader heading to Moscow for 9 May, to deliver Zelenskyy's message to Putin Slovak PM Robert Fico will be the only EU leader in Moscow for 9 May. He's carrying a message from Zelenskyy to Putin, his foreign ministry says.
France keeps Kyiv embassy open after Russia's pre-9 May threat to strike "decision-making centers" France will keep its Kyiv embassy open and condemned Russian threats to strike "decision-making centers" before 9 May. Germany and the EU made the same call.
Humanitarian and social impact
Ukraine emerged from WWII as a "defeated victor," states Ukrainian historian Historian Roman Kabachiy on Ukraine's overlooked role in World War II and defeating Nazism, as well as the staggering human cost of Soviet and Axis rule.
Chornobyl forest fire spreads through mined areas amid wildfire crisis in Ukraine More than 2,000 hectares have burned across four Ukrainian oblasts, with mine contamination and Russian war damage complicating firefighting operations.
Ukraine marks Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism on 8 May Ukraine marks 8 May as Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in WWII, replacing the Soviet 9 May Victory Day under a 2023 law signed by Zelenskyy.
75-hectare forest fire in Ukrainian region bordering four European countries is being investigated as possible Russian arson No open flame remains, but smoldering hotspots persist in the forest floor and dry vegetation.
Political and legal developments
Ukraine and Russia agree to three-day Victory Day ceasefire tied to large-scale POW exchange Ukraine says Russia has agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange and a temporary ceasefire from 9–11 May following talks mediated by the United States.
Kyiv prepares massive defence spending increase in 2026 budget as EU funds drive weapons production and military pay Ukraine's government is preparing a large budget shift focused on defence production, military salaries, and resilience infrastructure.
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